Tuesday, April 20, 2010

So... if you haven't noticed, we're in the process of having a little work done. Just a nip here & a tuck there - basically a minor little face lift & some general sprucing up. We are also in the process of a move, a virtual move that is. (Although, if everything goes according to plan, you won't even notice!)

Please bear with us while the changes are being made & hopefully everything will be back to normal in no time at all! In the meantime, to make sure you get all the latest updates, & to ensure you don't get lost along the way, be sure to subscribe to our feed HERE. (Even if you're already subscribed to the feed, please just do a double check, because we've had some feed issues lately & literally hundreds of subscribers have been un-subscribed!) & If you really LOVE us, don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook HERE (formerly known as being a Facebook Fan, I guess they decided that people would feel less committed if they simply "liked" things as opposed to becoming fans), "follow" the blog on Facebook HERE, or tweet with us HERE & HERE.

Thanks so much for your patience & understanding, & if you stumble across anything on the site that is acting a little "wonky," please let us know ASAP.

xoxo, C & K

p.s. If you're reading this post HERE, then that means you probably did get lost along the way. Be sure to head to our new-old address www.just-spotted.com. (I know, I know... www.just-spotted.com has ALWAYS been our address, but when we made our "virtual" move, our address HERE became www.just-spotted.blogspot.com. Have we confused yet? Don't worry about semantics - just head directly to www.just-spotted.com. See you there!)

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Just in time for summertime, I've found my latest addiction... Joe's Italian Ice. (Just thinking about it, & I'm feeling the cravings coming on.) As an Orange County transplant, this new-to-me tasty treat has something for everyone. Just down the way from Disneyland, I've probably driven by Joe's hundreds of times, yet never stopped. Luckily, a readerrecommendedJoe's Italian Ice, & boy am I glad she did - now, I can't get enough of the place.Joe's is definitely what I would call a "hole-in-the-wall." Located on a lonely stretch of road, just outside the hustle & bustle of Anaheim, it's one of those places you drive by wondering if it's any good, & if you should stop. Let me tell you here & now - STOP! STOP! STOP! You won't be disappointed.

Joe's Italian Ice specializes in "Authentic Philly Style Water Ice," which they make homemade, with fresh fruits, on a daily Basis. (Think shaved ice, but not really. Unlike shaved ice that is simply shaved ice with flavoring on top, Italian Ice is made by the same process by which ice cream is made, resulting in a delicious, almost creamy-like concoction, that is amazing!) Having "perfected" over 50 flavors (although every flavor isn't available every day), you will definitely find a favorite or two. (Bada Bing Cherry, Mango Tango & Strawberry were some of my personal favorites.)

Believe it or not, that's not the end of the yumminess. Even though it's called Joe's Italian Ice, that's not all they serve. They also have this incredible soft serve ice cream, that they ship in from Pennsylvania! Hello?! If they're shipping in the ice cream, all the way from Pennsylvania, you know it is got to be good. (A Butterscotch dipped cone or thick & creamy shake is sounding so tasty right now!)

So enough of my ramblings. I honestly could go on & on about Joe's Italian Ice. But, it 's really a place you just have to experience for yourself. Make a special trip, or stop by on your way home from Disneyland... trust me, you'll thank me later!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

1. Looking to get the most "bang for your buck?" VisitLegoland for multiple days. Until May 20th, 2010 you can gain admission to Legoland for 5 days, all for the price of a 1 Day Hopper Ticket. That's right, the same amount you pay for a 1 day hopper ticket can get you in for up to 5 consecutive days - that's quite a deal! (Check out the 5 days for the Price of 1 offer & many more HERE.) Don't worry if you won't be able to make it to Legolandbefore May 20th, 2010 because every day of the year you can upgrade any 1-day ticket to a 2-day ticket for just $15. Just stop by the Guest Services BEFORE you leave the park on the first day your ticket is used. (Second visit must be within 9 days.) You can also upgrade to a "membership," if you like as well.2. Be sure to catch the newest flick to grace the silver screens at Legoland... Clutch Powers 4-D. (My boys can't stop talking about it. Clutch is their new idol, that's for sure.)3. If you do watch a movie (any movie) at the LEGO Show Place, make sure your child's 4-D glasses are tight fitting. The glasses are adult size & some pairs fit very loosely - you want your child to be able to wear the glasses, without them (or more likely you) having to hold the glasses up to their face the entire show. Trust me, the fit of the glasses can make all the difference in the world when it comes to your child (& your) viewing experience.4. Have a budding builder? Be sure to stop by the Lego Club House in Fun Town where you can buy Legos by the pound.5. More than likely you will be taking young children to Legoland(it is geared for 2-12 year olds)... please be aware that many of the rides have height restrictions. This means that for many of the rides rides, children must be at least 48" tall to ride alone (if they are shorter than 48", often times the child must ride with an adult). I point this out, simply so you are aware. If you are attending Legoland with multiple young children, I'd suggest having one adult per child. I know it probably sounds extreme, but let's just say I'm talking from experience here. Let's just say I was surprised (& disappointed) when I realized that with a group of 7 children (one of which was 10 years old & another an infant) & 3 adults, we were unable to ride most of the rides. (To check out the height requirements for all the attractions go HERE.)6. On a hot day, be sure to bring the swimsuits - there's plenty of ways to cool off. Even the littlest guests will enjoy getting wet on the Swabbies Deck.7. When you are tired of rides, or just need a place to let your children "run free", check out some of these Legoland Play areas: Playtown & the Musical Fountain in Explore Village, The Hideaways in Castle Hill, Adventurer's Club & Lego Factory Tour in Fun Town,8. Sometimes it's hard for kids to be surrounded by some many Legos... all they want to do is build. Stop by the DUPLO play place in the Imagination Zone. It's a "free-play" opprotunity for younger children with tens of thousands of Lego DUPLO bricks just waiting to be played with.9. Looking for activities for older children? Check out these attractions:The Hideaways in Castle Hill, XBox Family Gamespace & Lego Mindstorms Robotics & Build and Test in the Imagination Zone.10. While I'm sure there are lots of tasty offerings to be found throughout Legoland, we were thrilled to stumble across the restaurants in Fun Town. There was definitely something for everyone: hamburgers, hot dogs, Asian stir fry, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, a full salad bar & churros to die for!11. If you've never had a Legoland pass, & you are a caregiver (Moms, Dad, Grandparents or other Caregiver) with children 4-years of age & under you can purchase a Model Mom Club membership for just $77. The pass is valid only on Thursdays, but it includes FREE parking, tons of discounts & Legoland offers a weekly activity group meet-up every Thursday, if you are interested (think Stroller Strides Fitness Walks, etc).12. If you are going to Legoland on a super busy day, you can take advantage of their Premium Play Pass, otherwise known as a front of the line pass. Although pricey ($150 for adults & $130 for children), the pass includes one-day admission to Legoland, front-of-the-line privileges & reserved seating for shows. Premium Play Passes are available in a limited quantity, on a first-come, first-served basis at the outside Guest Services window.

xoxo, K

Legoland provided entrance passes for K. No compensation, of any kind, was received for this post & the opinions represented are 100% those of Just Spotted.

Right now, I'm really wishing my baby girl was just a few years older so that I could take her to THIS sure-to-be-magical performance of Cinderella, performed by the Maple Youth Ballet at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The story we all know & love is coming to life, for one day only.

* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.

* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.